the wilds of waterloo
Jun. 23rd, 2008 04:35 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sqwookAlas, Tahquamenon Falls with otterkin was not to be. So instead, I explored our *local* wilds: Waterloo Recreation Area and environs, under the theory that your vacation is what you make of it. (I also cooked a smore for myself over a candle last night. Yes, true.)
Highlights:
* Bog Trail (from the Discovery Center) - always a favorite of mine, mature forest, a boardwalk view to a bog, and tons of cool things to look at. It's *not* just about the bog, I swear. (But I would be lying if I didn't say that bogs are freaking awesome.)
* Park Lyndon North, the "Yellow Trail" - most of the trail is fine but doesn't really call to me, but there's an idyllic oak grove that makes the hike totally worth it for me.
* Lake viewing - trying to find which boating lakes could also support non-boating use - like a canvas chair and a book. :) After looking at Mill Lake, Cedar Lake, and Doyle Lake, Doyle Lake wins! (less traveled, has a small pier)
* Oak Woods Trail (from the Discovery Center) - nice trail with views of lakes and marshes
* Cedar Lake Esker Trail - Yes, I *did* find the connector between the Cedar Lake boat access and the Discovery Center's Spring Pond Trail. Sweet! (I'm always excited when there's a slight risk of getting-lost-itudeness that is avoided - go me. I was also not hit by lightning while hiking on an esker as a storm blew in, so bonus-score.)
* Bog Trail to Cedar Lake - And yes, I found the connector between these two. Cedar Lake Outdoor Center has some good picnic spots w/views of Cedar Lake.
* The Waterloo Springs - Totally awesome & worth exploring, but not - repeat, not - while it is a complete mosquito-zone. Yikes. Note to self: Return in not-June.
Best gift, and you should get one, too: State parks pass, a whopping $24 per year, gets you access to all these fun places and more, and then you can just go on a whim!
What are your favorite nearby walks, hikes, and/or nature spots?
otterkin was not to be. So instead, I explored our *local* wilds: Waterloo Recreation Area and environs, under the theory that your vacation is what you make of it. (I also cooked a smore for myself over a candle last night. Yes, true.) Highlights:
* Bog Trail (from the Discovery Center) - always a favorite of mine, mature forest, a boardwalk view to a bog, and tons of cool things to look at. It's *not* just about the bog, I swear. (But I would be lying if I didn't say that bogs are freaking awesome.)
* Park Lyndon North, the "Yellow Trail" - most of the trail is fine but doesn't really call to me, but there's an idyllic oak grove that makes the hike totally worth it for me.
* Lake viewing - trying to find which boating lakes could also support non-boating use - like a canvas chair and a book. :) After looking at Mill Lake, Cedar Lake, and Doyle Lake, Doyle Lake wins! (less traveled, has a small pier)
* Oak Woods Trail (from the Discovery Center) - nice trail with views of lakes and marshes
* Cedar Lake Esker Trail - Yes, I *did* find the connector between the Cedar Lake boat access and the Discovery Center's Spring Pond Trail. Sweet! (I'm always excited when there's a slight risk of getting-lost-itudeness that is avoided - go me. I was also not hit by lightning while hiking on an esker as a storm blew in, so bonus-score.)
* Bog Trail to Cedar Lake - And yes, I found the connector between these two. Cedar Lake Outdoor Center has some good picnic spots w/views of Cedar Lake.
* The Waterloo Springs - Totally awesome & worth exploring, but not - repeat, not - while it is a complete mosquito-zone. Yikes. Note to self: Return in not-June.
Best gift, and you should get one, too: State parks pass, a whopping $24 per year, gets you access to all these fun places and more, and then you can just go on a whim!
What are your favorite nearby walks, hikes, and/or nature spots?
